Cheapest, smallest e-reader that isn't a Kindle

Fallingwater · 12-07-2016, 09:49 PM

I got a Cybook Opus five years ago. It stayed with me through thick and thin, still worked perfectly and I fully intended to use it until it physically fell apart; unfortunately, not two hours ago some lowlife stole my coat, and the Opus was in one of its pockets.

I'll spare you the sadness and anger, and I'll skip straight to the question - I need a new e-reader to take its place.

The first requirement is that it be cheap. Like, really cheap. I just emptied the disposable savings account for something else and can spare precious little money for non-vital purposes. Fortunately I need absolutely no special features - no backlight, no touchscreen, not even WiFi - I just need something into which I can load DRM-free epub files and which will show them on the screen. I don't even need it to be a good screen - I'd always used the Opus with the refresh disabled and had no problem reading even with all the little imperfections that came up after the third unrefreshed page change.

The second is that it be small. The Opus had a 5-inch screen and would fit into a large pocket with its faux-leather pouch; something of similar size would be good. This is going to be strictly a travel reader, as I already have a ten-incher for when I'm home.

The third is that it not be a Kindle. I emphatically don't want to futz around with Calibre converting my rather extensive library of epubs into mobi to suit Amazon's proprietary system, especially since I have no intention of ever using their store.

Anything out there for me?

AnemicOak · 12-07-2016, 10:20 PM

If you're okay with older models I've seen some good prices on eBay for Kobo Mini's (like $30ish) and occasionally see an old Opus ($20-$25ish).

barryem · 12-07-2016, 10:50 PM

I have to agree about the Kobo Mini. I had a couple of them that I've since passed on to my friends. I want a front light on my reader. I found the 5" screen to be just right and I liked how easily it fit into a pocket. It weighed practically nothing and the screen was good and sharp. For a non-lit reader it had excellent contrast. It also had a good selection of features.

I was looking on Ebay the other day and I saw a number of them for sale at prices around $30 or $40.

I also saw some Kobo Aura's for about $40 to $50. That's a 6" reader with a front light and pretty much the same feature set. It's probably the smallest and lightest of the 6" readers. It's very small. I bought a couple of them used 2 or 3 months ago from Ebay and they're like new. I paid $50 each and got free shipping.

Barry

ZodWallop · 12-08-2016, 12:28 PM

I'll second the Aura. It is a fairly small reader. And who knows, once you have a light, you may like it. Some people use the light, even in bright light, because it improves contrast.

dwig · 12-08-2016, 12:43 PM

Don't be misdirected by screen size specs when you are concerned with the size of the device. Newer tech and the resulting newer designs have reduced to width of the bezel bordering the screen. While the current Kobo Aura (series 2, according to their website) has a ~25mm larger screen diagonal, it is a mere 8mm wider and 8mm taller than the older Cybook Opus (according to the MR Wiki) and the Aura is 15% thinner. There may well be other 6" devices today that are near size matches to the 5" Opus.

Terisa de morgan · 12-08-2016, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwig

Don't be misdirected by screen size specs when you are concerned with the size of the device. Newer tech and the resulting newer designs have reduced to width of the bezel bordering the screen. While the current Kobo Aura (series 2, according to their website) has a ~25mm larger screen diagonal, it is a mere 8mm wider and 8mm taller than the older Cybook Opus (according to the MR Wiki) and the Aura is 15% thinner. There may well be other 6" devices today that are near size matches to the 5" Opus.

I can confirm than the previous Aura is slightly bigger but thinner and lighter than Opus (I've owned both of them).

kacir · 12-08-2016, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fallingwater

The first requirement is that it be cheap. Like, really cheap.

You haven't indicated where you are located.
If it is USA, check Goodwill and see what they got. A few months ago there was discussion about cheap readers sold by Goodwill.

AnemicOak · 12-08-2016, 01:53 PM

Goodwill reader auctions...
http://www.shopgoodwill.com/listings....asp?catID=351

12-07-2016, 09:49 PM	#1
Fallingwater Enthusiast Posts: 34 Karma: 4132 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Bookeen Cybook Opus	Cheapest, smallest e-reader that isn't a Kindle I got a Cybook Opus five years ago. It stayed with me through thick and thin, still worked perfectly and I fully intended to use it until it physically fell apart; unfortunately, not two hours ago some lowlife stole my coat, and the Opus was in one of its pockets. I'll spare you the sadness and anger, and I'll skip straight to the question - I need a new e-reader to take its place. The first requirement is that it be cheap. Like, really cheap. I just emptied the disposable savings account for something else and can spare precious little money for non-vital purposes. Fortunately I need absolutely no special features - no backlight, no touchscreen, not even WiFi - I just need something into which I can load DRM-free epub files and which will show them on the screen. I don't even need it to be a good screen - I'd always used the Opus with the refresh disabled and had no problem reading even with all the little imperfections that came up after the third unrefreshed page change. The second is that it be small. The Opus had a 5-inch screen and would fit into a large pocket with its faux-leather pouch; something of similar size would be good. This is going to be strictly a travel reader, as I already have a ten-incher for when I'm home. The third is that it not be a Kindle. I emphatically don't want to futz around with Calibre converting my rather extensive library of epubs into mobi to suit Amazon's proprietary system, especially since I have no intention of ever using their store. Anything out there for me?

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12-07-2016, 10:20 PM	#2
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	If you're okay with older models I've seen some good prices on eBay for Kobo Mini's (like $30ish) and occasionally see an old Opus ($20-$25ish).

12-07-2016, 10:50 PM	#3
barryem Wizard Posts: 2,459 Karma: 68781975 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Arkansas Device: Paperwhite 4	I have to agree about the Kobo Mini. I had a couple of them that I've since passed on to my friends. I want a front light on my reader. I found the 5" screen to be just right and I liked how easily it fit into a pocket. It weighed practically nothing and the screen was good and sharp. For a non-lit reader it had excellent contrast. It also had a good selection of features. I was looking on Ebay the other day and I saw a number of them for sale at prices around $30 or $40. I also saw some Kobo Aura's for about $40 to $50. That's a 6" reader with a front light and pretty much the same feature set. It's probably the smallest and lightest of the 6" readers. It's very small. I bought a couple of them used 2 or 3 months ago from Ebay and they're like new. I paid $50 each and got free shipping. Barry

12-08-2016, 12:28 PM	#4
ZodWallop Gentleman and scholar Posts: 11,331 Karma: 110455811 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Space City, Texas Device: Clara BW; Nook ST w/Glowlight, Paperwhite 3	I'll second the Aura. It is a fairly small reader. And who knows, once you have a light, you may like it. Some people use the light, even in bright light, because it improves contrast.

12-08-2016, 12:43 PM	#5
dwig Wizard Posts: 1,613 Karma: 6718541 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Paradise (Key West, FL) Device: Current:Surface Go & Kindle 3 - Retired: DellV8p, Clie UX50, ...	Don't be misdirected by screen size specs when you are concerned with the size of the device. Newer tech and the resulting newer designs have reduced to width of the bezel bordering the screen. While the current Kobo Aura (series 2, according to their website) has a ~25mm larger screen diagonal, it is a mere 8mm wider and 8mm taller than the older Cybook Opus (according to the MR Wiki) and the Aura is 15% thinner. There may well be other 6" devices today that are near size matches to the 5" Opus.

12-08-2016, 01:53 PM	#8
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	Goodwill reader auctions... http://www.shopgoodwill.com/listings....asp?catID=351

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